In the old continent, the situation on the energy market is tense before the onset of winter – natural gas prices have risen by 365 percent since the beginning of the year. European officials are demanding that Russia increase supplies, but so far only fulfilled existing agreements.
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According to TASS, Gazprom director Alexei Miller told Putin that the company could increase deliveries to Europe after November 8. Miller also told a televised government meeting that Gazprom would reach the planned level of more than 72.6 billion cubic meters of domestic gas on November 1 and complete it on November 8.
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The Russian media are already celebrating Putin as the savior of Europe. The head of the Kremlin has so far pointed out that Moscow is supplying the contracted amount of gas. Delivering more would be difficult, he said. In addition, he has repeatedly urged that the controversial Nord Stream 2 Russian-German gas pipeline project, which is now approved by the German authorities, be put into operation as soon as possible.
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Demand for natural gas is growing due to the economic recovery following the covidu-19 pandemic in Europe and Asia. It is also fed by low stocks of this raw material.
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Critics of Gazprom believe that the group is not responding to growing European demand in order to force the early launch of Nord Stream 2. The Russian side rejects the accusations.
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